Summertime and the livin’ is easy
The unofficial start of summer is now officially in the rearview mirror and the weather is amazin’ even the birds are bumpin’.
Chilling in a camp chair around the fire, having a barefoot, blue jean night.
The kids are running out the door laughing and playing ‘cause they got no more teachers’ dirty looks.
Ok, you get the point… Summertime is awesome. We have a bunch of activities to get you out of the house over the next few days. Check out the first Five Seasons Ski Show of the season, catch some fish at Pinicon Ridge, and meander around some farmers markets! Get out and get active!
Gif by dinosally on Giphy
Have fun this week.
Adventures Ahead📅📅
Check out some below happenings in the CR area!
Have an event suggestion? Just click here and let us know what it is.
Wednesday, 5/27
Story Time @ Stillwater Coffee Co.
9:30 - 10 am
Perfect for little ones and their grown-ups, this free event features engaging books, lively songs, and joyful movement activities to get everyone giggling and grooving.
Wednesday Come and Play @ Center Point Library
2 - 3 pm
This is a good time for children to learn to play with others, share toys, and make new friends in our play area. Adults can enjoy conversation with other parents and caregivers!
Thursday, 5/28
Five Seasons Water Ski Show
Ellis Park, 7 pm
Join us for a fun show on the water! We will feature tricks and talent on waterskis. Our theme this year is 'Disco Fever'.
Cultivate Community Market: Season Kickoff
Matthew 25 Urban Farm, 4 - 7 pm
Formerly known as our Mega Markets, Cultivate Community Markets are your chance to enjoy a summer full of fresh produce, pizza, music, local vendors, community connection, and family-friendly fun at the Urban Farm.
Friday, 5/29
Doodlebugs: Channel Islands National Park
Hiawatha Public Library, 10:30 am
There’s an underwater forest just off the coast of California that we’ll watch on a live feed while kids create undersea landscapes.
Expressive Arts
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 10 - 10:30 am
From theatre games and clay sculptures to creative movement and ukulele songs, this program is about processing, feeling, and healing through the arts. Geared to pre-K to second graders.
Saturday, 5/30
Youth Fishing Clinic
Pinicon Ridge State Park, 9 am
1864 Horseshoe Falls Rd., Central City, IA 52214
The North Linn Fish and Game Club and Linn County Conservation will cosponsor a youth fishing clinic.
Those under age 16 will receive prizes for participating.
Licenses are needed for those 16 and up who fish. Register online by Noon on May 29.
Cost: FREE.
Cedar Rapids Farmers Market
Downtown CR, 7:30 am - 12 pm
Mix and mingle in downtown CR, check out local vendors and get some delicious food!
Sunday, 5/31
Family Nature Experience
Indian Creek Nature Center, 1 - 2 pm
During this program your whole family will participate in a hands-on activity under the guidance of a summer naturalist, like pond dipping, sweep netting for insects, a fossil dig, or a nature hike.
Come dressed for the weather. This is a family-friendly program for all ages. Sturdy shoes recommended.
Registration required, $5/person, kids under 2 yrs old are free. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Hiawatha Farmers Market
Guthridge Park, 10 am -1 pm
Whether you’re shopping for the week or simply enjoying the atmosphere, the market is the perfect place to gather, explore, and support local.
Monday, 6/1
Llama Story Time
Guthridge Park, 10 - 11 am
Prairie Patch Farm brings the fun to life! Enjoy engaging llama stories, fascinating facts, and a special meet-and-greet with these friendly, furry friends. It’s an unforgettable experience for young children!
Big Boy Train
Fairfax Library, 1 pm
We will have the lawn games out, activities to do and an Ice Pop to cool off with.
Union Pacific's famed Big Boy No. 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, will journey to the East Coast this summer for the first time as part of a historic coast-to-coast tour to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.
Tuesday, 6/2
Summer Kids Club @ Buff City Soap
11 am - 1 pm
Hand-make 2–3 Mini Bath Bombs + a FREE Kids soap bar. $25 per seat
No reservation required, walk-ins welcome
Kids 16 years or younger. Parents/guardians must be present throughout the activity.
Summer Kick-Off
Atkins Public Library, 5:30 - 7 pm
Bring a lawn chair or blanket for a picnic on the lawn.
Helping Hands Food Pantry will be providing food.
Absolute Science will be there with bubble stations.
Our very talented Face Painting by Lindsay! Prairie Patch Llamas will be there for selfies and snuggles!
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Tap in Bootcamp
Big Grove Brewery & Taphouse, Saturday 5/30 @ 8:30 - 9:30 am
Alright, let’s be real. Our usual version of "cardio" is sprinting to stop a toddler from painting the walls with peanut butter…. If you want a real workout… one that does not entail waking up at 4:45 in the morning, then check out TAP IN BOOTCAMP at Big Grove in downtown CR this upcoming Saturday morning.
A free bootcamp series outside at Big Grove. Sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Downtown District, it’s a full-body workout designed for all fitness levels, whether you work out daily or your stamina currently peaks at carrying a sleeping kid up the stairs.
Bring yourself and a yoga mat, leave the kids at home with your partner or drop them off at the front stoop at your neighbor’s house. After class stick around for food, drinks, and hanging around on the patio.
Giphy
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
Knock knock…. who’s there?
Doris…. Doris who? 👵
Doris locked, that's why I'm knocking! 😄
What do you call a bear with no teeth? 🐻
A gummy bear! 🙃
Why did the girl eat her homework? ✏
The teacher said it was a piece of cake! 😆
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
Gif by bdhcollective on Giphy
A scrumptious vegetarian friendly option
Sheet Pan Gnocchi & Veggies
This meal is a regular in our weekly rotations. At least one of the kids tends to always eat it. A healthy meal that is easy to make, with the only prep literally cutting up some veggies before throwing it in the oven for 20 mins. The beauty of this meal is the simplicity.
Ingredients
Potato gnocchi, 2 packs
1 pint of cherry tomatoes
1 bell pepper (choose your favorite color)
1 zucchini
Olive oil
Shredded Mozzarella and/or Parmesan cheese
Seasonings: Italian seasoning, black pepper, garlic powder, some salt
CRFW Pro Tip👩🍳 : Use whatever vegetables you have handy! Have some left over onion from taco night? Throw it in. Some broccoli florets about to go bad? Cook it up.
Preheat & Prep: Set your oven to 425 degrees, cut up and dice the vegetables (leave the cherry tomatoes full).
Dump and Toss: Directly on a large baking sheet (or use two sheets if yours are smaller so everything has room to crisp up), dump the raw, unboiled gnocchi, as well as the vegetables on the pan.
Season: Drizzle the olive oil over everything. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Use your hands or tongs to toss it all together until every piece of gnocchi and veggie is lightly coated in oil. Spread them out in a single layer.
Roast: Bake for 20 minutes. Around the 10-minute mark, give everything a good stir. You'll know it's ready when the gnocchi is golden and plump, and the tomatoes have started to burst open.
Finishing Touches: Take the pan out, sprinkle the cheese over the top. If you dare, put it back in the oven for a quick broil to get the cheese melty and browned (DO NOT WALK AWAY!).
Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅
Wednesday, 5/27 | 88℉/61℉ | ⛅ |
Thursday, 5/28 | 84℉/56℉ | ⛅ |
Friday, 5/29 | 81℉/58℉ | ⛅ |
Saturday, 5/30 | 82℉/55℉ | ⛅ |
Sunday, 5/31 | 79℉/55℉ | ⛅ |
Monday, 6/1 | 81℉/56℉ | ⛅ |
Tuesday, 6/2 | 82℉/56℉ | ⛅ |
WOW. Pretty sure it is impossible to beat the type of weather Cedar Rapids will be having over the next week.
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
News Worthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
Marion’s Central Plaza earns top Main Street Iowa honor - from Corridor Business Journal
Cedar Rapids begins identifying lead pipes - from Cedar Rapids Gazette
Former Hawkeye, Cedar Falls native signs contract extension in NFL - from IowaNewsNow (KGAN)
Iowa unemployment holds at 3.3% in April; leisure, health care sectors show gains - from Corridor Business Journal
Art, crafts, play!
Spotlight: Studio Sadler
Down in Newbo, on the third floor of the Cherry Building is a brand-new art studio for little ones: Studio Sadler. A curated arts and crafts studio built specifically for your little ones to create, play, and mess up their space instead of yours.
For $12 a child (up to 2 hours of play), your kids can go wild with canvas painting, building blocks, puppets, rock painting, and even a "hairstyling" station (which will hopefully keep them away from scissors and their own bangs at home).
The Details:
When: Mon–Fri (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) & Sat (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
The Rule: Adult supervision is required—so grab a coffee, sit back, and watch their imagination go to work.
How: Spaces fill up, so book online here before you head out!
We took the kids there Tuesday (see pics below) and really appreciated that we didn’t have to do any art cleanup and that there was a whole designated area for littles who aren’t quite old enough to engage in the arts and crafts. We will definitely be going back!
That’s it for this week.
We surprisingly got no “Bad Feedback” last week, so that button addition was completely useless and will no longer be featured.
We also have options for you to drop information about event recommendations and meal ideas.
We have looked into a referral program. The Committee reviewed the proposal and has determined that we will not be moving forward with it for the time being. The expense of adding a referral program to our current platform is too great (budget cuts man…). The Committee will review this decision on an ongoing basis. In the meantime, your referral reward will be the dopamine hit that is received after performing a good deed. Please share as always!
See you later! 👋